A long-range Type 151 U-Boat, similar the one pictured here, surfaced off Orleans, Cape Cod in July of 1918 and opened fire on local shipping. Patrol planes in the area converged on the scene and what unfolded was the only attack on the contiguous United States during World War. (Image source: WikiMedia Commons)“Alerted to the hour-long bombardment, nearby residents swarmed the bluffs of Nauset Beach to view the craters created by the errant German gunnery.”
By J.B. Rivard
THE U.S. ENTERED the First World War on April 6, 1917, but the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) did not begin operations in France until July. A year later—although it is now mostly forgotten—the U.S. state of Massachusetts came under attack by Germany.
The message received at the Chatham Naval Air Station the morning of July 21, 1918 was crisp: “Submarine sighted. Tug and three barges being fired on, and one is sinking three miles off Coast Guard Station 40.”
Station 40 was on Nauset Beach, 70 miles southeast of Boston.
It took Navy Ensign Eric Lingard some minutes to gather a crew to man Chatham’s flying boat. The Curtiss HS1L, a three-seat, pusher aircraft was powered by a 360-horsepower Liberty motor mounted high between widely spaced wings. A single Mark IV bomb hung from an underwing rack.
A Curtis HS1L flying boat. (Image source: WikiMedia Commons)Once copilot Ed Shields, also a Navy Ensign, was seated beside Lingard with motor running, only a bombardier was needed to respond to the incursion. Chief Special Mechanic Edward Howard waded out, climbed into the round cockpit in the prow of the flying boat, and Lingard prepared for takeoff.
The Liberty motor’s position above the heads of the pilots meant its takeoff roar was deafening. But the biplane’s progress across the water was less impressive. The aviators caught some spray as the seaplane’s hull plowed through the chop. The unbalanced load of a 260-lb bomb on one side caused difficulty for pilot Lingard in keeping the wings level. He was well aware that capture of a wave by the overloaded wing could lead to a spiral crack-up and a dunking.
After a long takeoff run, the Liberty-driven two-blade propeller finally lifted the nearly three-ton aeroplane from the water. Upon gaining a few hundred feet of altitude, and flying north-by-northwest, the aviators soon had a first view of the unfolding drama off Nauset Beach.
It turned out the initial alert had misstated the number of barges being towed by the steam tugboat Perth Amboy—there were four rather than three. And sitting motionless seaward of the tug was a surfaced German submarine, its big deck guns blazing away. It was the 213-foot-long U-156, the largest of the Kaiser’s U-boat fleet. With shells bursting around it, the tug struggled to escape, its three-masted cargo barges strung out behind like baubles on a necklace.
View of tugboat Perth Amboy with tow, in 1915. (Image source: George C. Decas, photographer; Historic New England.)But the German commander, Kapitӓn Richard Feldt, had not surfaced for a soiree, he was directing the crews firing the two 15-centimeter (5.9-in) caliber guns on U-156’s deck. With thundering regularity, orange flame belched from the guns. And with nearly equal regularity, the shells exploded, producing giant geysers of seawater or exhuming tons of sand from nearby Nauset Beach. A few shells scored direct hits—one of the barges was sinking, and holes appeared in the tall funnel of the 120-foot Perth Amboy.
As the HS1L flying boat closed on the scene, a shell from the U-boat tore into the tug’s pilothouse. The aviators initially saw a flash followed by a scene of twisted wreckage once the smoke cleared.
Although the flying boat had not year reached the recommended safe bombing altitude of 1,000 feet, Lingard shouted toward Chief Howard in the bombardier’s cockpit that he planned to bomb the U-boat.
A Type 151 U-boat.At just 800 feet, Lingard aligned the aeroplane on the U-boat. Howard gauged the distance to the target and tripped the bomb release. The weapon remained fixed to its rack. The aviators cursed in disbelief as the flying boat passed over the gawking gunners on the deck of U-156.
Lingard banked and began a wide turn out to sea beyond the submarine. Upon completing a circle, he retarded the throttle and again descended. He shouted to Howard to prepare for a second bomb run. Estimating the target’s distance, Howard triggered the release, but the bomb still failed to fall away.
On the U-boat’s conning tower, Kapitӓn Feldt observed the maneuvers of the seaplane and realized it was armed. He commanded crews of the two smaller guns on the deck to down the low-flying biplane.
Chief Howard, frustrated by the failures of the bomb release mechanism, turned toward the two pilots, crawled from his seat and in a very risky move, crept rearward along the top of the fuselage. As Lingard again circled back toward the target, Howard reached the juncture of the fuselage with the lower wing, where he grasped the struts and edged outward toward the bomb rack. The Lingard and Shields watched fearfully as Howard, his flying suit flapping wildly, reached for the release mechanism.
The location of the engagement (Image source: Google Maps.)Orange flame spouted from the guns on U-156, but Lingard, undeterred, completed his circle. He straightened and aligned on the U-boat once more. At the proper moment, with one hand gripping a strut, Howard reached and manually uncaged the bomb. The four-foot-long missile splashed into the sea near the submarine but did not explode. As the pilot strove to outdistance the U-boat’s gunfire the aviators uttered strings of expletives.
Balancing athletically, Howard withdrew to the fuselage and reclaimed his station in the aircraft’s nose. Lingard boosted the motor’s throttle and gained altitude.
On the Perth Amboy below, the shell’s explosion in the pilothouse had resulted in injuries to several crewmen. The boat’s captain, James Tapley, fearing the result of a direct hit by the U-boat gunners, reluctantly issued the order to abandon ship. At the same time, a rescue crew from Coast Guard Station 40 rowed their boat frantically toward the tug, intent on aiding its crew.
It was now after 11 a.m. At Chatham Naval Air Station, five miles south of Nauset Beach, a biplane piloted by Philip Eaton touched down. Eaton, commander of the station, had received his pilot training in the Navy, but was now a Captain in the U.S. Coast Guard. He’d returned from an early-morning search for a lost dirigible. He pulled to a stop and was briefed on the U-boat attack and Lingard’s mission.
Less than 15 minutes later, Captain Eaton took off alone in a Curtiss R-9 float plane armed with a Mark IV bomb. Minutes later, Lingard, now circling at a safe altitude above the U-boat, spotted Eaton’s float plane approaching.
“[It was] the prettiest sight I ever hoped to see,” he’d later recall.
Curtiss R-9. This may be Captain Eaton’s float plane. (San Diego Air and Space Museum)On the U-boat’s conning tower, Kapitӓn Feldt also saw Eaton’s plane. The aeroplane was flying low and seemed to be aimed directly at U-156. Feldt’s gunners fired at the incoming floatplane but failed to hit it. Eaton swooped to about 500 feet above the water and released his bomb. As he passed over the submarine, he saw the bomb land in the water beside the U-boat. He braced for an explosion, but saw only a splash. Again, a Mark IV bomb failed to detonate.
Angered by the weapon’s failure, Eaton circled out to sea, returned, and lined up on the U-156. Again the U-boat’s gunners fired at him, and again they missed. With no ordnance, he tossed the only weapons he had left down onto the enemy below: a wrench and a toolbox. It’s not recorded whether or not they found their mark.
Kapitӓn Feldt, at this moment the luckiest U-boat commander in all of the German Imperial Navy, decided against further risk. He ordered the crew into their hatches, halted the diesels, and instructed his helmsman to dive. As the last crewman battened the hatch in the conning tower, U-156 slipped beneath the surface of the Atlantic. The only attack on the United States of America during World War One was now concluded.
Although damaged, the tugboat Perth Amboy did not sink. Its injured crewmen were rowed ashore, where they were hospitalized. All survived their wounds.
the Cape Cod shoreline today. (Image source: WikiMedia Commons)Alerted to the hour-long bombardment, nearby residents swarmed the bluffs of Nauset Beach to view the craters created by the errant German gunnery. Within days, reporters arrived to interview survivors of the attack. Captain Tapley was quoted as saying, “I never saw a more glaring example of rotten marksmanship.”
In the follow-up, the Secretary of the Navy ordered the Ordnance Department to determine why the Mark IV bombs did not detonate. Ultimately, all Mark IV bombs in U.S. service were replaced with improved designs.
Indeed, the erratic gunning of the German U-boat’s crews, the failure of HS1L’s release system, and those aerial bombs that turned to duds may have something to do with this remaining a mostly forgotten incident of World War I.
J.B. Rivard is the author of the upcoming novel Dead Heat to Destiny: Three Lives and a Spy A writer of historically accurate fiction and nonfiction, he served four years in the military and worked on the staff of a U.S. National Laboratory. A graduate of the University of Florida, he attended the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, and is an award-winning artist and author. To learn more about J.B.’s life and work, visit www.illusionsofmagic.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the first people to use guns in warfare?
Humans have used guns for thousands of years.
They were originally used only for the powerful and wealthy, but over time they have been adopted by more people.
For instance, the Qin Dynasty (221-221 BC -206 BC), introduced the first gunpowder weapons in China.
Additionally, until 1406, the Mongols used bows-and-arrows to guide their troops. Then they switched to firearms.
In 1522, King Francis I of France issued a decree stating that everyone must own a musket.
Henry VIII, finally, ordered that all men aged between 18-59 learn how to use a firearm.
How did the Vietnam War begin?
As the war began, North Vietnamese Army (NVA), which had more troops, better equipment, superior training, and more men, was stronger than any other nation. American soldiers, however, had more firepower including air support or artillery.
Also, the NVA enjoyed a huge advantage in manpower. There were almost twice as many Communist troops fighting them than there were U.S soldiers.
However, after two years in continuous combat, the United States military forces grew stronger while their enemy became weaker. In 1969, Americans were more killed in action than during World War II.
The introduction of new weapon systems and tactics was the reason for this change in momentum. U.S. commanders could strike deep within enemy territory with the help of helicopter gunships or aircraft carriers.
The conflict became less popular, particularly among young people. According to a poll, less than half the college students supported the war effort. The U.S. and South Vietnam used chemical warfare against Viet Cong during this period. Students for a Democratic Society, an antiwar group, protested extensively against this tactic.
Who was Douglas MacArthur?
He was an American soldier, general, diplomat, author and historian. In addition, he was also an explorer, engineer, educator, and inventor.
He was born 1880 in Missouri, United States. His father died while he was still young. This forced him to leave school at an early age to support his mother and other siblings. At the age of sixteen, he enlisted in the army and quickly rose up the ranks. He was a soldier in the Spanish-American War, and received two medals of valor. He was involved in politics, and helped to establish the Philippine Army.
Jean Faircloth, whom Jean had met while stationed in Japan, was his bride. Arthur Jr., Robert and Mary would be their three children. He led the successful invasion of northern Luzon, World War I's first major wartime invasion, while serving as the commander of The Philippine Division. In 1935, he retired from active duty and returned to the Philippines. During the Second Sino-Japanese War he served as the Chief of staff for the Allied Expeditionary Force.
MacArthur is best remembered for leading the Allied Forces, during World War II, to victory over the Japanese Imperial Forces in Pacific Theatre of Operations. MacArthur directed that the landing site be moved southward by the Allies after they invaded Leyte Island, 1944. This resulted in heavy casualties for the troops. This decision contributed to the failures of the initial operations at Leyte. MacArthur, however, returned to Australia and successfully planned the Battle of Okinawa that resulted in the capture of the island. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Upon his return to the US, MacArthur continued serving as a Congress member. He was elected president the United States in 1952, 1954. He was responsible for the Korean Armistice Agreement, and oversaw the withdrawal of US troops South Korea.
MacArthur was a prolific writer during his retirement years. He founded the Military History Institute of California and published his autobiography, Years of MacArthur (1966). He died on April 5th, 1964.
General Douglas MacArthur, one of the most famous soldiers of history, has been inducted into numerous halls of fame.
What year was the first army of the United States of America established?
The American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) saw the founding of the First Army. The Continental Congress approved an army of 20,000 under George Washington's command.
The army was a combination of existing militia units. Its mission is to defend the colonies against British invasion. The army received little training and supplies, and was not well-equipped.
The Declaration of Independence was adopted on June 14, 1776 by the Continental Congress. This declaration declared the thirteen colonies independent of Great Britain, and called on them to "secure these right" for their descendants and themselves. On July 4, the Continental Congress approved a resolution calling on the creation and maintenance of a Continental Army.
Initially, the newly created army was composed mainly of untrained militiamen. In August 1777, Washington took charge of the army. He began recruiting troops from the local militias and also enlisted foreign soldiers. By early 1778, his force numbered nearly 10,000 men.
The army won its first major battle at Saratoga, New York in March 1779. Although the Americans lost that battle, it marked a turning point in the war. General Burgoyne was defeated and the British army surrendered.
After the war ended, the Continental Congress disbanded it. However there would be brief attempts to create permanent national military organizations.
What are the sources of military historical information?
The great war changed the course of history. From its beginning in 1914 to its end in 1945, the Great War saw millions die, empires collapse, and nations rise and fall. It was life-changing experience for those involved, as it resulted in the loss of homes, livelihoods, and loved ones dying.
The Great War was a period of exploration, debate, discovery, controversy and debate for historians. It also serves as an academic discipline and provides a context for understanding the human response to extreme stress.
Although most of our knowledge about the Great War comes from the official documents and memoirs of participants, there are also stories that have been shared by people who were actually there during the conflict. These personal accounts can provide insight into the motivations and decisions that were made during wartime.
They show the emotions and feelings experienced by both soldiers and civilians, and help us understand why certain events happened.
What is the significance of military history?
We've seen an unprecedented increase in conflicts around the world over the last few years. There seem to be no shortage countries that are currently involved in armed struggle, including Ukraine, Syria and Libya. Why do these conflicts continue? Why is there so much war? Can humans live in peace and harmony within such close quarters?
Our collective memory is the answer. Although we might not be aware, we can see that we live in a world with violence between nations. Simply put, we live at a time of great transition.
For example, World War II ended 70 years ago this year. However, it occurred during a period that saw rapid technological advancements (including the development of an atomic bomb) which resulted in the creation of a global market. This economic system then created the conditions to support a global political movement called "globalization."
Globalization is a constant process. It's easy for us to forget how far we have come since 1945. The world today is more interconnected than ever. Nearly 40% of global GDP comes from international trade. Americans are dependent on foreign goods for their daily lives.
Yet despite the vast changes wrought by globalization, humanity still struggles with a fundamental problem: we cannot avoid conflict. While it is understandable to desire peace and prosperity in all countries, it can also be unrealistic. As long as human beings exist, they will always seek power and wealth.
We must learn from our mistakes. We must identify the root causes of our conflicts if we want to avoid them in the future.
We need to know the history and consequences of war in order to devise strategies to prevent future conflicts. Let's start with World War II. What was the reason for this war? How did it get started? What were the main causes of war?
What amount of money did the U.S. invest in the Vietnam War?
The war cost us 6 trillion dollars. And we lost. Many lives were also lost.
While there may have been other costs, these were the major ones.
The cost of the war is hard to calculate because you have to look beyond military spending. The cost of caring and supporting our veterans is also an important factor.
There is also the draft cost. This ended when the average American man reached the age of 21. This is an estimate of 1 million young men who served.
However, the majority of them weren’t drafted. Nevertheless, they were not forced to serve. Many had to go to college.
Students were subject to a massive increase in tuition fees. The total cost of tuition fees is close to $1 trillion if you add the cost for the GI bill.
The cost keeps rising.
In fact, according to the National Priorities Project the lifetime cost for caring for disabled vets could rise to $4.3 trillion.
The cost of health care for the survivors of war would be another expense.
In any case, the bottom line here is that the United States spent far more money on Vietnam War combat than it did on all other wars.
Statistics
- Of all services, the U.S. Army has paid the heaviest price since 911, with almost 42,000 active, guard, and reserve soldiers killed or wounded while serving overseas, according to Department of Defense figures. (militaryhistoryonline.com)
- According to Peter Fraser Purton, the best evidence of the earliest gun in Europe is the Loshult gun, dated to the fourteenth century. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
thegriffon108.com
jstor.org
- The Embattled Future of Academic Military History on JSTOR
- Teetering on the Brink of Respectability on JSTOR
networks.h-net.org
How To
What was the number of countries that were involved in Korea War?
In 1950, North Korea was supported by the Soviet Union. Meanwhile, the United States and other allies backed the capitalist Republic of South Korea.
China reached a separate deal with the Communist North Koreans following the outbreak of fighting.
China sent troops across the 38th Parallel to support their ally. But, this was the beginning of the Korean War.
By 1953, the war was over. The North Korean forces fled to China.
On June 25, 1953, the Armistice Agreement was signed. Both sides agreed that they would withdraw their armies.
However, the agreement was never fully implemented. Instead, fighting resumed July 1955.
It ended on July 27, 1952. All hostilities ended after a truce.
An estimated 3 million men died during the conflict. This makes it the deadliest war since the Second World War.
